Method and apparatus for suppression of fires

Abstract

An apparatus, system and method for suppression of fires are provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a housing is provided with a first opening (or set of openings), a second opening (or set of openings) and a flow path defined between the first and second openings. A fire-suppressing gas is produced, such as from a solid propellant composition, and is introduced into the flow path in such a way that a volume of ambient air is drawn from a location external to the housing, through the first opening and into the flow path. The volume of ambient air may be subjected to an oxygen-reducing process and mixed with the fire-suppressing gas to form a gas mixture. The gas mixture is discharged from the flow path through the second opening and into an associated environment for suppression of a fire located therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fire suppression apparatus comprising:
 a housing defining a first opening therein, a second opening therein and a flow path providing fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening; 
 a gas-generating device located and configured to provide a flow of a first gas into the flow path such that the flow of the first gas draws a volume of ambient air from a location outside the housing, through the first opening and into the flow path; and 
 at least one oxygen-getting device disposed in the flow path, wherein the oxygen-getting device is configured to reduce a level of oxygen in the volume of ambient air as it flows therethrough. 
 
     
     
       2. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gas-generating device further includes a nozzle through which the first gas flows into the flow path. 
     
     
       3. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the nozzle is configured to accelerate the flow of the first gas to a supersonic velocity. 
     
     
       4. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the nozzle is configured to accelerate the flow of the first gas to a substantially sonic velocity. 
     
     
       5. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the gas-generating device further includes a solid propellant composition configured to generate the first gas upon combustion thereof. 
     
     
       6. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the solid propellant composition is configured to generate the first gas as an inert gas. 
     
     
       7. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the solid propellant composition is configured to generate a volume of at least one of N 2 , H 2 O and CO 2  as the first gas. 
     
     
       8. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising an igniting device configured to ignite the solid propellant composition. 
     
     
       9. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the igniting device includes at least one of a squib, a semiconductor bridge and a conductive wire. 
     
     
       10. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising an igniting composition in contact with the igniting device. 
     
     
       11. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the igniting composition is configured to produce a volume of hot gas upon ignition thereof. 
     
     
       12. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the igniting composition is configured to produce a mass of heated slag upon ignition thereof. 
     
     
       13. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the gas-generating device further includes a filter disposed between the solid propellant composition and the nozzle. 
     
     
       14. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the filter comprises at least one of screen mesh and shot material. 
     
     
       15. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a diffuser disposed within the flow path located and configured to alter a velocity of the first gas and to effect mixing of the first gas with the volume of ambient air drawn into the flow path and thereby form a gas mixture. 
     
     
       16. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising at least one conditioning apparatus disposed within the flow path. 
     
     
       17. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one oxygen-getting device is disposed between the first opening and the diffuser. 
     
     
       18. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one conditioning apparatus includes an NO X  scavenger disposed between the diffuser and the second opening. 
     
     
       19. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one conditioning apparatus includes a filter disposed between the diffuser and the second opening. 
     
     
       20. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one conditioning apparatus is configured to be removed from the housing and replaced with another conditioning apparatus. 
     
     
       21. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one oxygen-getting device includes an oxygen reactive material. 
     
     
       22. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the oxygen reactive material includes at least one of iron, nickel, copper, zirconium and titanium. 
     
     
       23. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one oxygen-getting device is thermally coupled to the nozzle. 
     
     
       24. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of thermally conductive fins coupled with the gas-generating device. 
     
     
       25. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of thermally conductive fins is coupled with the nozzle of the gas-generating device. 
     
     
       26. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein the plurality of thermally conductive fins is also coupled with the at least one oxygen-getting device. 
     
     
       27. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one oxygen-getting device is disposed between the diffuser and the second opening. 
     
     
       28. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first opening includes a first plurality of openings and wherein the second opening includes a second plurality of openings. 
     
     
       29. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the housing is formed of a metallic material. 
     
     
       30. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the housing is formed of a material comprising steel. 
     
     
       31. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gas-generating device is configured to be removed from the housing and replaced with another gas-generating device. 
     
     
       32. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is substantially integral with a structure associated with an environment intended to be protected by the fire suppression apparatus. 
     
     
       33. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the structure includes a room of a building. 
     
     
       34. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the structure includes a cabin of a vehicle. 
     
     
       35. A fire suppression apparatus comprising:
 a housing defining a first opening therein, a second opening therein and a flow path providing fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening; 
 a gas-generating device located and configured to provide a flow of a gas into the flow path such that the flow of the gas draws a volume of ambient air from a location outside the housing, through the first opening and into the flow path, the gas-generating device including a nozzle through which the gas flows into the flow path; 
 a diffuser disposed within the flow path located and configured to alter a velocity of the first gas and to effect mixing of the gas with the volume of ambient air drawn into the flow path and thereby form a gas mixture; and 
 at least one conditioning apparatus disposed within the flow path wherein the at least one conditioning apparatus includes a heat transfer device disposed between the diffuser and the second opening. 
 
     
     
       36. A fire suppression system comprising:
 at least one fire suppression apparatus comprising:
 a housing defining a first opening therein, a second opening therein and a flow path providing fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening; 
 a gas-generating device located and configured to provide a flow of a first gas into the flow path such that the flow of the first gas draws a volume of ambient air from a location outside the housing, through the first opening and into the flow path; 
 at least one oxygen-getting device disposed in the flow path, wherein the oxygen-getting device is configured to reduce a level of oxygen in the volume of ambient air as it flows therethrough; and 
 
 a controller configured to generate a signal and transmit the signal to the at least one fire suppression apparatus upon the occurrence of a specified event, wherein the gas-generating device is configured to provide the flow of the first gas upon receipt of the signal from the controller. 
 
     
     
       37. The fire suppression system of  claim 36 , further comprising at least one sensor configured to generate and transmit a sensor signal to the controller. 
     
     
       38. The fire suppression system of  claim 37 , wherein the at least one sensor further comprises at least one of a smoke detector and a temperature sensor. 
     
     
       39. The fire suppression system of  claim 37 , wherein the at least one sensor is configured to detect the presence of a specified gas. 
     
     
       40. The fire suppression system of  claim 36 , further comprising at least one actuator configured to generate and transmit an actuator signal to the controller. 
     
     
       41. The fire suppression system of  claim 36 , further comprising at least one alarm device located and configured to receive a signal generated by an alarm and provide an alarm indicator. 
     
     
       42. The fire suppression system of  claim 41 , wherein the at least one alarm device is configured to provide at least one of a visual indicator and an auditory indicator as the alarm indicator. 
     
     
       43. The fire suppression system of  claim 36 , wherein the gas-generating device further includes a nozzle through which the first gas flows into the flow path. 
     
     
       44. The fire suppression system of  claim 43 , wherein the nozzle is configured to accelerate the flow of the first gas to a supersonic velocity. 
     
     
       45. The fire suppression system of  claim 43 , wherein the nozzle is configured to accelerate the flow of the first gas to a substantially sonic velocity. 
     
     
       46. The fire suppression system of  claim 43 , wherein the gas-generating device further includes a solid propellant composition configured to generate the first gas upon combustion thereof. 
     
     
       47. The fire suppression system of  claim 46 , further comprising an igniting device configured to ignite the solid propellant composition. 
     
     
       48. The fire suppression system of  claim 47 , further comprising an igniting composition in contact with the igniting device. 
     
     
       49. The fire suppression system of  claim 48 , wherein the igniting composition is configured to produce a volume of hot gas upon ignition thereof. 
     
     
       50. The fire suppression system of  claim 48 , wherein the igniting composition is configured to produce a mass of heated slag upon ignition thereof. 
     
     
       51. The fire suppression system of  claim 48 , wherein the gas-generating device further includes a filter disposed between the solid propellant composition and the nozzle. 
     
     
       52. The fire suppression system of  claim 43 , further comprising a diffuser disposed within the flow path located and configured to alter a velocity of the first gas and to effect mixing of the first gas with the volume of ambient air drawn into the flow path and thereby form a gas mixture. 
     
     
       53. The fire suppression system of  claim 52 , further comprising at least one conditioning apparatus disposed within the flow path. 
     
     
       54. The fire suppression system of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one conditioning apparatus includes at least one of an NO X  scavenger and a NH 3  scavenger disposed between the diffuser and the second opening. 
     
     
       55. The fire suppression system of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one conditioning apparatus includes a filter disposed between the diffuser and the second opening. 
     
     
       56. The fire suppression system of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one conditioning apparatus is configured to be removed from the housing and replaced with another conditioning apparatus. 
     
     
       57. The fire suppression system of  claim 52 , wherein the at least one oxygen-getting device is disposed between the first opening and the diffuser. 
     
     
       58. The fire suppression system of  claim 36 , wherein the oxygen-getting device includes an oxygen reactive material. 
     
     
       59. The fire suppression system of  claim 58 , wherein the oxygen reactive material includes at least one of iron, nickel, copper, zirconium and titanium. 
     
     
       60. The fire suppression system of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one oxygen-getting device is thermally coupled to the nozzle. 
     
     
       61. The fire suppression system of  claim 52 , wherein the at least one oxygen-getting device is disposed between the diffuser and the second opening. 
     
     
       62. The fire suppression system of  claim 36 , wherein the first opening includes a first plurality of openings and wherein the second opening includes a second plurality of openings. 
     
     
       63. A fire suppression system comprising:
 at least one fire suppression apparatus comprising:
 a housing defining a first opening therein, a second opening therein and a flow path providing fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening; 
 a gas-generating device located and configured to provide a flow of a gas into the flow path such that the flow of the gas draws a volume of ambient air from a location outside the housing, through the first opening and into the flow path, wherein the gas-generating device further includes a nozzle through which the first gas flows into the flow path; 
 a diffuser disposed within the flow path located and configured to alter a velocity of the gas and to effect mixing of the gas with the volume of ambient air drawn into the flow path and thereby form a gas mixture; and 
 at least one conditioning apparatus disposed within the flow path wherein the at least one conditioning apparatus includes a heat transfer device disposed between the diffuser and the second opening; and 
 
 a controller configured to generate a signal and transmit the signal to the at least one fire suppression apparatus upon the occurrence of a specified event, wherein the gas-generating device is configured to provide the flow of the gas upon receipt of the signal from the controller. 
 
     
     
       64. A fire suppression apparatus comprising:
 a housing defining a first opening therein, a second opening therein and a flow path providing fluid communication between the first opening and the second opening; 
 a gas-generating device including a solid propellant composition disposed within a housing, wherein the solid propellant composition is configured to produce a gas upon combustion thereof; 
 an igniting device configured to ignite the solid propellant composition; 
 a nozzle coupled with the gas-generating device, wherein the nozzle is located and configured such that the gas flows through the nozzle into the flow path and also draws a volume of ambient air from a location outside the housing, through the first opening and into the flow path; 
 a filter disposed between the solid propellant composition and the nozzle; 
 a diffuser disposed within the flow path located and configured to alter a velocity of the gas and to effect mixing of the gas with the volume of ambient air drawn into the flow path and thereby form a gas mixture; and 
 at least one conditioning apparatus disposed within the flow path including at least one oxygen-getting device configured to reduce a level of oxygen from the volume of ambient air. 
 
     
     
       65. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 64 , wherein the first opening further comprises a first set of openings and wherein the second opening further comprises a second set of openings. 
     
     
       66. The fire suppression apparatus of  claim 64 , wherein the at least one oxygen-getting device is thermally coupled with the nozzle. 
     
     
       67. A method of suppressing fires, the method comprising:
 providing a housing with a first opening and a second opening; 
 defining a flow path between the first opening and the second opening; 
 producing a fire-suppressing gas; 
 introducing the fire-suppressing gas into the flow path; 
 aspirating a volume of ambient air from a location external of the housing through the first opening and into the flow path; 
 mixing the volume of ambient air with the fire-suppressing gas to produce a gas mixture; 
 reducing a level of oxygen contained within the volume of ambient air including flowing the volume of ambient air over an oxygen reactive material; and 
 discharging the gas mixture through the second opening. 
 
     
     
       68. The method according to  claim 67 , wherein producing a fire-suppressing gas includes producing an inert gas. 
     
     
       69. The method according to  claim 67 , wherein producing a fire-suppressing gas includes producing a gas comprising at least one of N 2 , H 2 O and CO 2 . 
     
     
       70. The method according to  claim 67 , wherein producing a fire-suppressing gas includes combusting a solid propellant composition. 
     
     
       71. The method according to  claim 70 , wherein combusting a solid propellant composition further includes igniting a second solid composition. 
     
     
       72. The method according to  claim 71 , wherein igniting a second solid composition includes producing a heated gas from the second solid composition. 
     
     
       73. The method according to  claim 71 , wherein igniting a second solid composition includes producing a molten slag from the second solid composition. 
     
     
       74. The method according to  claim 67 , wherein introducing the fire-suppressing gas into the flow path further includes introducing the fire-suppressing gas into the flow path at a supersonic velocity. 
     
     
       75. The method according to  claim 67 , wherein introducing the fire-suppressing gas into the flow path further includes introducing the fire-suppressing gas into the flow path at a substantially sonic velocity. 
     
     
       76. The method according to  claim 67 , wherein discharging the gas mixture through the second opening includes discharging the gas mixture at a subsonic velocity. 
     
     
       77. The method according to  claim 68 , wherein flowing the volume of ambient air over an oxygen reactive material further comprises flowing the volume of ambient air over a material comprising at least one of iron, copper, nickel, zirconium and titanium. 
     
     
       78. The method according to  claim 67 , further comprising heating the oxygen reactive material. 
     
     
       79. The method according to  claim 78 , wherein heating the oxygen reactive material further comprises thermally coupling the oxygen reactive material with a nozzle associated with introducing the fire-suppressing gas into the flow path. 
     
     
       80. The method according to  claim 67 , further comprising reducing a velocity of the fire-suppressing gas after it is introduced into the flow path and prior to discharging the gas mixture through the second opening. 
     
     
       81. The method according to  claim 80 , wherein reducing a velocity of the fire-suppressing gas further includes flowing the fire-suppressing gas through a diffuser. 
     
     
       82. The method according to  claim 67 , further comprising flowing the gas mixture through a conditioning device. 
     
     
       83. The method according to  claim 82 , wherein flowing the gas mixture through a conditioning device further comprises flowing the gas mixture through at least one of an NO X  and an NH 3  scavenger. 
     
     
       84. The method according to  claim 82 , wherein flowing the gas mixture through a conditioning device further comprises flowing the gas mixture through a filter. 
     
     
       85. The method according to  claim 67 , wherein providing a housing with a first opening and a second opening further comprises providing a housing with a first set of openings and a second set of openings. 
     
     
       86. A method of suppressing fires, the method comprising:
 providing a housing with a first opening and a second opening; 
 defining a flow path between the first opening and the second opening; 
 producing a fire-suppressing gas; 
 introducing the fire-suppressing gas into the flow path; 
 aspirating a volume of ambient air from a location external of the housing through the first opening and into the flow path; 
 mixing the volume of ambient air with the fire-suppressing gas to produce a gas mixture; 
 flowing the gas mixture through a conditioning device, wherein flowing the gas mixture through a conditioning device further comprises flowing the gas mixture through an oxygen-getting device; and 
 discharging the gas mixture through the second opening. 
 
     
     
       87. A method of suppressing fires, the method comprising:
 providing a housing with a first opening and a second opening; 
 defining a flow path between the first opening and the second opening; 
 producing a fire-suppressing gas; 
 introducing the fire-suppressing gas into the flow path; 
 aspirating a volume of ambient air from a location external of the housing through the first opening and into the flow path; 
 mixing the volume of ambient air with the fire-suppressing gas to produce a gas mixture; 
 flowing the gas mixture through a conditioning device, wherein flowing the gas mixture through a conditioning device further comprises flowing the gas mixture through a heat transfer device; and 
 discharging the gas mixture through the second opening.